Crosslinked polymer aerogels, polymer aerogel composites and methods for preparing the same

ABSTRACT

A method of forming a porous material having improved compressive strength, includes forming an aerogel precursor that includes a polymer having a functional group capable of undergoing a crosslinking reaction dispersed in a dispersion medium. The precursor also includes a crosslinking agent. The aerogel precursor is frozen so that the dispersion is solidified, and freeze dried to sublime the dispersion medium and form the porous material. The crosslinking agent is reacted with the functional group to effect crosslinking, thus improving the compressive strength of the porous material.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a national phase of International Application No. PCT/US2010/038317 filed Jun. 11, 2010 and published in the English language, which claims priority to U.S. 61/268,316 filed Jun. 11, 2009.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to aerogels, and in particular to crosslinked polymer aerogels and polymer aerogel composites, and to methods for preparing the same.

BACKGROUND

A gel by definition is a spongelike, three-dimensional solid network whose pores are filled with another substance, such as a liquid. The liquid of the gel is not able to diffuse freely from the gel structure and remains in the pores of the gel. But when the gel is subjected to a drying process, the liquid may be removed from the network, thereby leaving the solid network behind.

Drying the gel using conventional drying techniques results in formation of a xerogel. A xerogel is a solid formed from drying a gel with unhindered shrinkage. The associated shrinkage of the solid network associated with conventional drying techniques is caused by capillary forces acting on the pore walls as the liquid evaporates, and such shrinkage generally results in the destruction of the initial solid network. Xerogels are generally characterized as having a porosity of about 30% and in some embodiment, may have a specific surface area of about 500 m²/g.

By contrast, drying the gel using a supercritical drying or freeze drying process can yield an aerogel. An aerogel is a porous solid that is formed from a gel, in which the liquid that fills the pores of the solid has been replaced with a gas. Aerogels are generally produced by drying the gel either by a supercritical drying or by freeze drying. Shrinkage of the gel's solid network during drying is negligible or all-together prevented due much in part to the minimization of capillary forces acting on the network as the liquid is expended.

Aerogels are generally characterized as having high porosity (about 94-98%), and high specific surface area. Aerogels also possess relatively low densities, generally in the range of 0.004-0.5 g/cm³. Aerogels can possess excellent load bearing properties and insulation properties, and may be used as a catalyst or in connection with a catalytic process (e.g., as a catalyst support structure).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect, there is provided a novel method for improving the mechanical strength of aerogels, including the steps of forming an aerogel precursor, the aerogel precursor including: a matrix material that includes at least one polymer having at least one functional group capable of undergoing a crosslinking reaction; a liquid dispersion medium for dispersing the matrix material; and a crosslinking agent reactable with the at least one functional group of the at least one polymer; freezing the aerogel precursor to solidify the dispersion medium; freeze drying the aerogel precursor to sublime the dispersion medium and form the aerogel; and reacting the crosslinking agent with the at least one functional group of the at least one polymer to effect crosslinking.

The functional group may be chosen from hydroxy, carboxy, isocyanate, anhydride, acidic, epoxy, amino, siloxy, mercapto, thiol, alkoxy, oxazole, acetoacetoxy and acrylamide groups.

In one embodiment, the liquid dispersion medium includes water. The liquid dispersion medium may further include a surfactant or emulsifier.

In one embodiment, the aerogel precursor includes clay, so that a clay polymer composite aerogel is formed.

In one embodiment, crosslinking of the aerogel is effected by the application of heat to the aerogel. Crosslinking may also be effected by the application of ultraviolet radiation to the aerogel. In one embodiment, crosslinking is effected by the application of electron beam radiation to the aerogel.

In one aspect, there is provided a novel polymeric containing aerogel having improved mechanical strength, which aerogel is produced by a process comprising: forming an aerogel precursor, the aerogel precursor including: a matrix material that includes at least one polymer having at least one functional group capable of undergoing a crosslinking reaction; a liquid dispersion medium for dispersing the matrix material; and a crosslinking agent reactable with the at least one functional group of the at least one polymer; freezing the aerogel precursor to solidify the dispersion medium; freeze drying the aerogel precursor to sublime the dispersion medium and form the aerogel; and reacting the crosslinking agent with the at least one functional group of the at least one polymer to effect crosslinking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bar graph comparing the relative compression modulus of polymer/clay aerogel composites made in accordance with the process of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

Aerogels in accordance with the present application may be produced using various polymers, dispersions, clays, additives, fillers, fibers, etc. For example, aerogels in accordance with the present application may be polymer based. As such, an aerogel may be formed solely from one or more polymers in combination with a dispersion medium. In other embodiments, one or more clays, additives, fillers, fibers may be combined with the polymer and dispersion to form the aerogel.

As described herein, highly porous, aerogel like structures that include a three-dimensional, open-cell body may be formed using two-phase systems, including dispersions, emulsions, solutions, suspensions and latexes. A first phase, for example a polymer or polymer precursor, is dispersed, suspended or emulsified in a second phase, referred to herein as a dispersion medium, to form the two phase system, referred to herein as a dispersion. The dispersion is first subjected to freezing to solidify the dispersion medium, and then freeze dried to remove the bulk of the dispersion medium, leaving behind a solid, polymer containing skeleton of the dispersion. While these highly porous structures are not formed from a gel, the term “aerogel” as used herein includes these dispersion derived structures.

The polymer used in the aerogel may be one or more monomers, polymers, copolymers, or combinations thereof. As used herein, the term “polymer” may refer any of the described or similar monomers, polymers, copolymers, or combinations.

The polymer may include water soluble and/or non-water soluble polymers. Examples of water soluble polymers include, but are not limited to, natural polymers such as starches, plant gums, modified cellulosic and lignin materials, chitan, chitosan, pectin, and water soluble and dispersible proteins. Suitable starches comprise corn starch, potato starch, amaranth starch, arrowroot starch, banana starch, barley starch, cassava starch, millet starch, oat starch, rice starch, rye starch, sago starch, sorghum starch, sweet potato starch, wheat starch and yam starch.

Water soluble polymers typically include polymers having one or more acidic groups per molecule, and those in which all of the acidic groups are combined as salts, or some of the acidic groups are combined as salts. The monomer system used for the preparing water soluble polymers typically includes any suitable combination of olefinically unsaturated monomers which is amenable to copolymerization, provided such a monomer system includes an acid-bearing comonomer(s) (preferably in sufficient concentration to render the resulting polymer fully or partially soluble in aqueous media), or a comonomer(s) bearing an acid-forming group which yields, or is subsequently convertible to, such an acid group (such as an anhydride, e.g. methacrylic anhydride or maleic anhydride, or an acid chloride) and also a comonomer(s) which imparts crosslinkability. Typically the acid-bearing comonomers are carboxyl-functional acrylic monomers or other ethylenically unsaturated carboxyl bearing monomers such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid and fumaric acid. Sulphonic acid-bearing monomers could also e.g. be used, such as styrene p-sulphonic acid (or correspondingly styrene p-sulphonyl chloride). An acid bearing monomer could be polymerised as the free acid or as a salt, e.g. the NH₄ or alkali metal salts of ethylmethacrylate-2-sulphonic acid or 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulphonic acid, or the corresponding free acids. Other, non-acid functional non-crosslinking monomer(s) which may be copolymerized with the acid monomer(s) include acrylate and methacrylate esters and styrenes; also dienes such as 1,3-butadiene and isoprene, vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate, and vinyl alkanoates. Methacrylates include normal or branched alkyl esters of C1 to C12 alcohols and methacrylic acid, such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, and n-butyl methacrylate, and (typically C5 to C12) cycloalkyl methacrylates acid such as isobornyl methacrylate and cyclohexyl methacrylate. Acrylates include normal and branched alkyl esters of C1 to C12 alcohols and acrylic acid, such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and (typically C5-C12) cycloalkyl acrylates such as isobornyl acrylate and cyclohexylacrylate. Styrenes include styrene itself and the various substituted styrenes, such as α-methyl styrene and t-butyl styrene. Nitriles such as acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile may also be polymerised, as well as olefinically unsaturated halides such as vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride and vinyl fluoride. Functional monomers which impart crosslinkability (crosslinking monomers for short) include epoxy (usually glycidyl) and hydroxyalkyl (typically C1-C12, e.g. hydroxyethyl)methacrylates and acrylates, as well as keto or aldehyde functional monomers such as acrolein, methacrolein and vinyl methyl ketone, the acetoacetoxy esters of hydroxyalkyl (typically C1-C12) acrylates and methacrylates such as acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate and acrylate, and also keto-containing amides such as diacetone acrylamide. Polyvinyl alcohol may also be used as a water soluble polymer. The purpose of using such functional monomer is to provide subsequent crosslinkability in the resulting polymer system.

Water insoluble polymers that may be used to form the aerogel may include those derived from at least one emulsion polymerized hydrophobic polymer. The monomer system employed for the formation of the hydrophobic polymer may include, for example, non-acid functional monomers, and in particular styrenes, such as styrene itself, α-methylstyrene, o-, m- and p-methylstyrene, o-, m- and p-ethylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene and p-bromostyrene; normal and branched acrylic and methacrylic esters of alkanols (typically C1-C12) and cycloalkanols (typically C5-C12) such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, t-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, and cyclohexyl acrylate and the corresponding acrylates; vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate and vinyl alkanoates; vinyl halides such as vinyl chloride; vinylidene halides such as vinylidene chloride; dienes such as 1,3-butadiene and isoprene. A functional monomer(s) for imparting crosslinkability (which is not normally an acid monomer) may optionally be included, examples of which include hydroxy and epoxy functional (meth)acrylates such as hydroxyalkyl (typically C1-C12) methacrylate, e.g. 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, and the corresponding acrylates, as well as keto- and aldehyde-functional monomers such as acrolein, methacrolein, and methyl vinyl ketone, acetoacetoxy esters of hydroxyalkyl (typically C1-C12) acrylates and methacrylates such as acetoacetoxyethyl acrylate or methacrylate, and also keto or aldehyde-containing amides such as diacetone acrylamide.

Emulsifying agents that can be used for the emulsion polymerization of the water soluble polymer and/or water insoluble polymer are, for example, anionic and/or non-ionic emulsifiers. Anionic emulsifiers include, but are not limited to, alkylethoxylate sulfate and sulfonate, alkylphenolethoxylate sulfate and sulfonate, alkylsulfate and sulfonate, alkylethoxylate phosphates, alkylphenol ethoxylate phosphates, alkyl phosphates, alkylaryl sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, and mixtures thereof. Non-ionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, alkylphenol ethoxylates, alkyl ethoxylates, ethylene oxide block copolymers, propylene oxide block copolymers, polyethylene oxide sorbitan fatty acid esters, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the amount of emulsifying agent used is between 0.3 to 2% by weight, based on the weight of the total amount of monomer. In another embodiment, the amount of emulsifying agent used is between 0.3 to 1% by weight.

Crosslinking the polymer(s) of the aerogel can provide improved mechanical properties, while not appreciably increasing the density of the resulting aerogel.

In one embodiment, the matrix material comprises a crosslinkable polymeric composition that includes at least one reactive functional group capable of undergoing a crosslinking reaction. The crosslinkable functional group is not particularly restricted, but may include one or more crosslinkable silyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, carbonate ester, isocyanate, epoxy, vinyl, amino, amide, imide, anhydride, mercapto, acid, acrylamide and acetoacetyl groups.

Hydroxy functional monomers include, for example, hydroxyl ethyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxyl isopropyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxyl butyl (meth)acrylate and the like. Epoxy functional monomers include, for example, glycidyl methacrylate and glycidal acrylate.

The acid containing monomers include unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, beta carboxy ethyl acrylate, mono-2-acroyloxypropyl succinate, and the like. Anhydride containing monomers include maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, citraconic anhydride and the like.

The acrylamides include acrylamide and its derivatives including the N-substituted alkyl and aryl derivatives thereof. These include N-methyl acrylamide, N,N-dimethyl acrylamide, t-octyl acrylamide and the like. The methacrylamides include methacrylamide and its derivatives including the N-substituted alkyl and aryl derivatives thereof. The vinyl esters include vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, vinyl valerate, vinyl versitate, vinyl isobutyrate and the like. The vinyl ethers include ethylvinyl ether, butylvinyl ether, 2-ethylhexylvinyl ether and the like. The vinyl amides include vinyl pyrrolidone, and the like. The vinyl ketones include vinyl ketones such as ethylvinyl ketone, butylvinyl ketone, and the like.

The polymerizable silanes include vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, vinyltripropoxysilane, vinylmethyldimethoxysilane, vinylmethyldiethoxy-silane, vinylmethyldipropoxysilane, γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy-silane, γ-methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, γ-methacryloxypropyltripropoxysilane, γ-methacryloxydimethoxysilane, γ-methacryloxypropylmethyldimethoxy-silane, γ-methacryloxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane, γ-methacryl-oxypropylmethyldipropoxy-silane, γ-methacryloxymethyl-dimethoxysilane, γ-methacryloxymethyltrimethoxysilane, γ-methacryloxymethyl-triethoxy-silane, (methacryloxymethyl) methyldimethoxysilane, (methacryloxymethyl)-methyldiethoxysilane, γ-methacryloxypropyltriacetoxysilane, γ-acryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, γ-acryloxypropyltriethoxy-silane, γ-methacryl-oxymethyldiethoxysilane, γ-acryloxypropyltripropoxy-silane, γ-acryloxypropyl-methyldimethoxysilane, γ-acryloxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane, γ-acryloxypropylmethyldipropoxysilane, and the like.

The aerogel may be crosslinked during a post freeze-drying step to increase the mechanical strength of the aerogel. This can be achieved via covalent crosslinking such as heat, ultraviolet radiation, electron beam radiation, or metal based ionic crosslinking between functional groups. Table 1 below lists examples of the types of crosslinkers for the various functional groups.

TABLE 1 Functional Group Crosslinker Silane Self-reactive Hydroxyl Isocyanate, Melamine Formaldehyde, Anhydride, Epoxy Carboxylic acid, Aziridines, Isocyanate, Melamine Formaldehyde, phosphoric acid Anhydride, Epoxy, Carboimides, Metal Chelates and Oxazolines Isocyanate Self-reactive, Carboxylic acid, Amine, Hydroxyl Vinyl Addition reaction with Silicone hydride (Meth)acrylate Amine, Mercaptan, Self-reactive with radical catalyst (UV, Thermal), Acetoacetate Epoxy Amine, Carboxylic acid, Phosphoric acid, Hydroxyl, Mercaptan Amine Isocyanate, Melamine formaldehyde, anhydride, epoxy, acetoacetate Mercapto Isocyanate, Melamine formaldehyde, Anhydride, Epoxy Acetoacetate Acrylate, Amine

The polymer may be combined and mixed with an aqueous dispersion medium so as to form a suspension, emulsion, dispersion or solution. The combination of the polymer and dispersion medium forms an aerogel precursor. In some embodiments, the aerogel precursor may also include one or more clays, additives, fillers, fibers, etc.

As used herein, the dispersion medium may be any suitable liquid compound or mixture of compounds that forms a crystalline phase structure when frozen and is sublimable. Examples of dispersion media include, but are not limited to, water, alcohols, such as tert-butanol, acid group containing solvents such as acetic acid, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, cyclohexane, benzene, ortho, meta, or para-xylene, or a combination thereof. The dispersion medium may be a solvent that dissolves the polymers, copolymers, monomers, or combination thereof. For example, non-water soluble polymers may be dissolved in a suitable solvent appropriate for the polymer with examples including, but not limited to, alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, acid group containing solvents such as formic acid and acetic acid, formamide, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, hexane, toluene, benzene, ethers such as diethyl ether, methylene chloride, or carbon tetrachloride, etc.

The polymer may be combined and/or mixed with the dispersion medium in an amount from about 1 to about 40 wt % of the total polymer/dispersion medium mixture. In one embodiment, the polymer is combined and/or mixed with the dispersion medium in an amount from about 0.5 to about 30 wt %. In another embodiment, the polymer is combined and/or mixed with the dispersion medium in an amount from about 1 to about 10 wt %. Higher concentrations of polymer in the solution will generally produce robust structures, but will reduce the porosity and provide for higher densities.

In some embodiments, the aerogel is free of clay. In other embodiments, the aerogel may include one or more clays that are mixed with the polymer and dispersion medium prior to freeze drying. Clay is generally defined as a material containing a hydrated silicate of an element such as aluminum, iron, magnesium, potassium, hydrated alumina, iron oxide, or the like. The silicate layers of such clays are negatively charged, and are separated by layers of positively charged ions, such as sodium, potassium and other elements. While not specifically required for the present invention, naturally-occurring clays can be altered via ion exchange processes, to, for example, replace sodium ions with quaternary ammonium ions and utilized in the present invention. Occasionally, the clay may contain impurities of other naturally occurring minerals and elements that can vary depending on the location where the clay is obtained. The clays of interest for the present invention can be used as mined, or can be purified by methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art of clay product manufacture.

In one embodiment, the clays that may be utilized in the aerogel are capable of being exfoliated or subdivided into individual layers. In another embodiment, the clays that may be utilized in the aerogel are soluble or dispersible in solvents such as water to at least 1-5 wt %, Examples of suitable clays, include, but are not limited to, illite clays such as attapulgite, sepiolite, and allophone; smectite clays such as montmorillonite, bentonite, beidellite, nontronite, hectorite, saponite, and sauconite; kaolin clays such as kaolinite, dickite, nacrite, anauxite, and halloysite-endellite; and synthetic clays such as laponite and fluorohectorite.

When included, the clays may be present in an amount ranging from about 0.25 to about 10 wt % of the total weight of the polymer/dispersion medium/clay mixture. In one embodiment, the clays may be present in amount from about 0.25 to about 5 wt % of the total weight of the polymer/dispersion medium/clay mixture. In another embodiment, the clays may be present in amount from about 0.25 to about 2.5 wt % of the total weight of the polymer/dispersion medium/clay mixture.

U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2007/0208124 and 2008/0132632 are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety and are generally directed to clay aerogels. As disclosed therein, the aerogel may be formed from clay and one or more polymers such that the formed aerogel may include about 1 to about 99 wt % of clay. In another embodiment, the clay may be present in an amount from about 1 to about 30 wt %. In yet another embodiment, the clay may be present in an amount from about 1 to about 10 wt %. In an embodiment only including polymer and a clay in a dispersion medium, the weight ratio of polymer to clay may range from 1:99 to about 99:1.

In those embodiments that include a clay, a water-soluble salt may be included in the mixture prior to freeze drying. Examples of suitable water soluble salts include those comprising mono-, di-, or tri-valent cations, including, but not limited to, Na, K, Li, H, Ca, Mg, and Al; and mono-, di-, or tri-valent anions, including, but not limited to, Cl, F, Br, O, S, PO₄, SO₃, SO₄, acetate, or benzoate, or combinations thereof. These salts are may be present in an amount from about 0.05 to about 20 wt % of the aerogel on a dry basis, depending on the specific solubility of said salts.

Additives useful to modify the properties of the aerogel may also be included in the aerogel. For example, additives such as colorants (dyes, pigments), antistatic agents, chemical coupling agents, electrically conductive-fillers including, but not limited to, forms of conductive carbon and metal flakes/particles; and photoactive species including, but not limited to, rare earth ions, may each be incorporated into the aerogel structures. In one embodiment, the additives may be included in an amount less than about 1 wt % of the aerogel structure. In another embodiment, the additives may be included in an amount less than about 0.1 wt %.

Filler such as, but not limited to, non-smectic clays, talc, mica, fluoromica, glass fibers, carbon fibers, and carbon nanotubes may also be incorporated in an amount up to about 50 wt % of the aerogel or aerogel component on a dry basis. In one embodiment, the filler may be included in an amount less than about 10 wt % of the aerogel. The amount of filler will depend on the particular aerogel composition.

In some embodiments, hydrophobic filler or additive materials may be added to the aerogel precursor by combining the hydrophobic filler with a hydrophilic polymer. A hydrophobic filler is normally not dispersible in the dispersion medium alone. However, the hydrophilic polymer effectively entraps the hydrophobic material in the aerogel precursor which may then be freeze dried to form the aerogel containing both hydrophilic polymer as well as the entrapped hydrophobic material. Accordingly, in one embodiment, an aerogel precursor may be created comprising the dispersion medium, a hydrophilic polymer, and a hydrophobic filler or additive material. The amounts of hydrophilic polymer and hydrophobic material independently can range from about 2 to about 50 wt %, and in some embodiments, may range from about 2.5 to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the mixture. In one embodiment, for example, 2.5 wt % of boron nitride may be incorporated into a PVOH solution via blending to create a dispersion that can be freeze-dried to create a three dimensional aerogel. As a separate example, boron nitride may be incorporated and 5 wt %.

In one embodiment, the aerogel includes one or more same or different fibers. The fibers may serve as a reinforcing agent that improves the structural integrity of the aerogels, and in some embodiments, may serve as a wicking material and aid in the uptake of fluid to the aerogel.

Fibers are generally threads or thread-like structures in discreet elongated pieces. Suitable fibers include both natural fibers and synthetic fibers. Natural fibers are those produced by plants, animals, or geological processes. For example, plant fibers include, but are not limited to, cotton, hemp, jute, flax, ramie and sisal. Wood fibers derived from tree sources are also included within the scope of the present invention, including processed and unprocessed wood fibers. Animal fibers generally consist of proteins such as, but not limited to, spider silk, sinew, catgut, wool and hair such as cashmere, tunicate whiskers, mohair and angora. Mineral fibers are derived from naturally occurring minerals and include for example asbestos, woolastinite, attapulgite and halloysite. Synthetic fibers can be formed from natural or synthetic materials. Glass fibers are an example and can be made as a further example from natural raw materials such as quartz. Metal or metal oxide fibers are also suitable and can, for example, be drawn from ductile metals such as copper, gold or silver, and extruded or deposited from metals considered brittle such as nickel, aluminum or iron, for example. Carbon fibers are often based on carbonized polymers. Polymer fibers can be made from any suitable polymer including, but not limited to, polyamides, polyesters, polyolefins, polyethers, polyurethanes, polyalcohols, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylonitrile and polyvinyl chloride. Fibers also include coextruded fibers having two distinct polymers forming the fiber, such as a core-sheath fiber or side-by-side fiber. Fibers also can be coated if desired. For example, coated fibers exist such as nickel-coated fibers in order to prevent static elimination, silver-coated to provide anti-bacterial properties and aluminum-coated fibers. Industrial made fibers from natural materials include soy-based fibers known as SOYSILK®, and corn-based fibers such as INGEO®. In some embodiments, various fibers present in an aerogel component that is fired, such as some polymeric fibers, can carbonize and form an interpenetrating network of carbon fibers and ceramic structures.

Any suitable shape of fibers can be utilized. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the fibers may be one or a combination of a round, hollow, porous, oval, star, or trilobal shape. The fibers may be linear, curved, crimped, or the like and may be produced and/or utilized with or without added sizing agents or surface treatments. Furthermore, the amount of fibers and size of the fibers utilized depends upon the desired end properties of the aerogel. The fibers generally have a length ranging from about 1 μm to about 20 mm. In one embodiment, the fibers have a length from about 2 mm to about 10 mm. The fibers generally have a diameter ranging from about 20 nm to about 1 mm. In one embodiment, the fibers have a diameter from about 15 μm to 50 μm. The amount of fibers in the formed aerogel may range from about 2.5 to about 5000 parts based on 100 parts by weight of the polymer. In one embodiment, the amount of fibers in the formed aerogel may range from about 10 to about 100 parts by weight.

The aerogels in accordance with the present application may be formed by subjecting an aerogel precursor (e.g., the mixture of polymer, dispersion medium, and/or one or more clays, fillers, additives, etc.) to a freeze drying procedure. The freeze drying procedure causes the liquid component of the dispersion to be removed while leaving the solid structure of the aerogel intact.

Specifically, a polymer, copolymer, monomer, or combination thereof may be combined with a sufficient amount of a dispersion medium to form an aerogel precursor. One or more of additives such as a clay, salt, additive, filler, or fiber may be combined and/or mixed with the polymer at any period of time prior to addition of the polymer to the dispersion medium, at a time subsequent the combination of the polymer and dispersion medium, or at both times.

The aerogel precursor is mixed for a period of time generally until the polymer is sufficiently suspended or dissolved in the dispersion medium. Mixing may be performed by any suitable means, such as blending and shearing, for any suitable period of time until desired suspension is achieved. For example, the duration of the mixing process may range from about 1 minute to about 120 minutes, and the mixing process may yields a homogeneous or substantially homogenous mixture. In one embodiment, the dispersion medium may be heated to increase solubility of the polymer and/or additives.

The mixture may be poured or otherwise transferred into any desired structure that serves as a mold. Although in some embodiments the aerogel precursor may be mixed in the mold.

The aerogel precursor is subsequently frozen, for example in a solid carbon dioxide and ethanol bath. In another embodiment, the gel is frozen utilizing liquid nitrogen, although the liquid nitrogen does not contact the mixture. Generally the dispersion medium (i.e., the liquid phase of the gel) forms a crystalline phase when frozen. In general, crystal growth of the dispersion medium will contribute to the formation of the aerogel structure. In one embodiment, the aerogel precursor is subjected to temperatures within the range of about −1° C. to about −196° C. In another embodiment, the aerogel precursor is subjected to temperatures within the range of about −40° C. to about −196° C. In yet another embodiment, the aerogel precursor is subjected to temperatures within the range of about −60° C. to about −100° C. In one embodiment, the aerogel precursor is subjected to temperatures of about −60° C. In another embodiment, the aerogel precursor is subject to temperatures of about −10° C.

In those embodiments where only a polymer is included in the dispersion medium, the binding forces of the polymer will maintain the formed structure. In those embodiments where a clay, filler, additive, fiber, etc. are included, the polymer will act as a binder for the included components. Although, the clay may also possess binding capabilities. Subsequently, the gel is dried under vacuum (i.e., freeze-dried) and the dispersion medium is sublimed. The formed aerogel may then removed from the mold.

The aerogel may optionally be oven cured while under vacuum, either prior to or subsequent to the aerogel being removed from the mold. In the curing process, the aerogels are generally heated to a temperature ranging from about 150° C. to about 1200° C. for any suitable period of time. In embodiments where the aerogel includes a clay, the curing process may yield a ceramic-like aerogel structure. The cured aerogel structures remain low density, are mechanically resilient, easily handled, and stable to high temperatures of use. However, the cured aerogel may possess dimensions that are slightly smaller and densities which are generally higher when compared to the uncured aerogel.

EXAMPLES Preparation of Clay/Polymer Composites

Materials:

Sodium montmorillonite (Na⁺-MMT) (Nanocor Inc. PGW grade)

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) (PolySciences 108KD)

Oxalic acid (Acros, 99+%)

Glutaric Acid (Acros, 99%)

Suberic Acid (MP Biomedicals Inc, 99%)

Sebacic Acid (Acros, 98%)

Example 1

10 wt. % Na⁺-MMT was dispersed in water using a Waring blender on high speed (22,000 RPM). A 5 wt. % solution of PVOH in water containing 1 mol % oxalic acid was then mixed with the clay gel using gentle stirring. After mixing, the sample was placed in 5 dram (18 mL) polystyrene vial and frozen in a solid carbon dioxide/ethanol bath. Freeze-drying was carried out using a Virtis Advantage Model EL-85 lyophilizer with an initial shelf temperature of −10° C., which increases to 25° C. after full vacuum is attained. Drying was stopped when the ultimate pressure reached and maintained 5 μbar, the limit of the vacuum pump. The freeze dried composites was then cured at 110° C. for 12 hours in vacuo to accomplish ester formation.

Example 2

A clay/polymer composite was prepared substantially in accordance with the procedure described in Example 1, with the exception that a 5 wt. % solution of PVOH in water containing 1 mol % glutaric acid was then mixed with the clay gel.

Example 3

A clay/polymer composite was prepared substantially in accordance with the procedure described in Example 1, with the exception that a 5 wt. % solution of PVOH in water containing 1 mol % suberic acid was then mixed with the clay gel. Gentle heating was required in order to fully dissolve in the polymer solution.

Example 4

A clay/polymer composite was prepared substantially in accordance with the procedure described in Example 1, with the exception that a 5 wt. % solution of PVOH in water containing 1 mol % sebacic acid was then mixed with the clay gel. Gentle heating was required in order to fully dissolve in the polymer solution.

The reaction of the PVOH with the dicarboxylic acids may be illustrated as follows:

Ester linkages occur when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol and eliminates water. In the foregoing examples, poly(vinyl alcohol) and di-carboxylic acids of varying lengths were combined.

Each of the clay/polymer aerogel composites incorporated 5 wt % clay, 2.5 wt % PVOH, and 0-1 wt % of diacids of C2, C5, C8 and C10 chain lengths, and exhibited densities of 0.05±0.005 g/cm³.

The compressive mechanical behavior of each of the polymer/clay aerogel composites was measured. As illustrated in FIG. 1, compression of the aerogels revealed that at very short and very long spacer lengths, the compressive moduli of the composites were marginally lower than without reinforcement.

It is believed that the shortest of the crosslinkers, having only 2 carbon atoms, was too small to efficiently crosslink the material possibly causing intrachain crosslinks rather than bridging different chains. The longer chain lengths, C8 and C10, appeared to cause plasticization, possibly due to low solubility in water and therefore not likely to interact favorably with the highly soluble polymer. The C5 diacid however showed a distinct increase in compressive modulus over the other acids and the unreinforced material. It shows that a combination of compatibility/solubility and reactivity may be needed to create the desired increase in material properties.

Numerous different articles can be prepared containing the aerogel material. Molded parts, organized bats or free-flowing particles suitable for thermal and/or acoustical insulation, including, but not limited to, housing (walls, attic, roofing structures, pipes and ductwork), vehicles such as sound deadening panels or foams, and aircraft and spacecraft exterior and interior insulation panels are able to be prepared. Other, low density polymeric structures in which the aerogel is present can be used to replace polymeric foams. Laminates including the aerogel are prepared in some embodiments.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specified function of the described element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been described above with respect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for improving the mechanical strength of aerogels, including: forming an aerogel precursor, the aerogel precursor including: a matrix material comprising at least one polymer having at least one functional group capable of undergoing a crosslinking reaction, wherein the at least one functional group is chosen from hydroxyl, isocyanate, amine, and epoxy groups; a liquid dispersion medium for dispersing the matrix material; and a crosslinking agent reactable with the at least one functional group of the at least one polymer, wherein the crosslinking agent comprises a dicarboxylic acid; freezing the aerogel precursor to solidify the dispersion medium; freeze drying the aerogel precursor to sublime the dispersion medium and form the aerogel; and reacting the crosslinking agent with the at least one functional group of the at least one polymer to effect crosslinking of the formed aerogel after freeze-drying.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid dispersion medium comprises water.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid dispersion medium further comprises a surfactant or emulsifier.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the aerogel precursor further comprises clay.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein crosslinking is effected by the application of heat to the aerogel.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein crosslinking is effected by the application of ultraviolet radiation to the aerogel.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein crosslinking is effected by the application of electron beam radiation to the aerogel.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one functional group comprises an acidic group.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the dicarboxylic acid comprises at least one of oxalic acid, glutaric acid, suberic acid, and sebacic acid.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the dicarboxylic acid comprises a carbon chain length of C5.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the dicarboxylic acid comprises a carbon chain length of C8.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one polymer having the at least one functional group capable of undergoing a crosslinking reaction comprises poly(vinyl alcohol). 